Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center honored for quality and safety

In this photo taken last fall, veterans and guests tour one of the new cottages at the VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa.

Dusty Compton | The Tuscaloosa News

By Lydia Seabol AvantStaff Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 12:16 a.m.

The Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center has been recognized as a top performer in quality and safety for the second year in a row.

According to the Joint Commission's report, Top Performer on Key Quality Measures, the Tuscaloosa VA was recognized for its performance using evidence-based processes when it comes to hospital-based inpatient psychiatry.

The Tuscaloosa VA was one of 1,099 hospitals in the nation that received the Top Performer status, representing the top 33 percent of all Joint Commission-accredited hospitals in the U.S., according to the VA.

According to the VA, top-performing hospitals met 95 percent or above on their performance scores.

The award is based on accountability scores from 2012.

“This award underscores the quality work performed by the staff of the Tuscaloosa VA,” said Tuscalooa VA Director Maria R. Andrews. “We are proud to provide veterans with the highest quality care. They are heroes that deserve this and so much more.”

The Tuscaloosa VA also was recognized as a top performer in quality measures in 2012.

“Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center and all the Top Performer hospitals have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to quality improvement, and they should be proud of their achievement,” said Mark R. Chassin, CEO of the Joint Commission, in a statement. “We have much to celebrate this year. Nearly half of our accredited hospitals have attained or nearly attained the Top Performer distinction. This truly shows that we are approaching a tipping point in hospital quality performance that will directly contribute to better health outcomes for patients.”

<p>The Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center has been recognized as a top performer in quality and safety for the second year in a row.</p><p>According to the Joint Commission's report, Top Performer on Key Quality Measures, the Tuscaloosa VA was recognized for its performance using evidence-based processes when it comes to hospital-based inpatient psychiatry. </p><p>The Tuscaloosa VA was one of 1,099 hospitals in the nation that received the Top Performer status, representing the top 33 percent of all Joint Commission-accredited hospitals in the U.S., according to the VA. </p><p>According to the VA, top-performing hospitals met 95 percent or above on their performance scores.</p><p>The award is based on accountability scores from 2012. </p><p>“This award underscores the quality work performed by the staff of the Tuscaloosa VA,” said Tuscalooa VA Director Maria R. Andrews. “We are proud to provide veterans with the highest quality care. They are heroes that deserve this and so much more.”</p><p>The Tuscaloosa VA also was recognized as a top performer in quality measures in 2012. </p><p>“Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center and all the Top Performer hospitals have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to quality improvement, and they should be proud of their achievement,” said Mark R. Chassin, CEO of the Joint Commission, in a statement. “We have much to celebrate this year. Nearly half of our accredited hospitals have attained or nearly attained the Top Performer distinction. This truly shows that we are approaching a tipping point in hospital quality performance that will directly contribute to better health outcomes for patients.”</p><p>“The Tuscaloosa VA understands what matters most to patients — safe, effective care,” said Damon Stevenson, spokesman for the Tuscaloosa VA. </p><p>“That's why the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center has made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes.”</p><p>Reach Lydia Seabol Avant at 205-722-0222 or lydia.seabolavant@tuscaloosanews.com.</p>